Kindness of strangers at dog park unforgettable

Dec. 10, 2012

A young Great Dane at the dog park, moving, as a traffic cop would say, at a high rate of speed, ran smack dab into me.

I remember lying on the ground. The slightest movement was agony. Gentle arms cradled my body against the chest of a man I could not see, giving warmth and comfort, preventing shock.

A man standing nearby gave clear directions on his cell phone to a 911 dispatcher. Another man and his wife asked me the phone number of anyone who should be informed and contacted one of my daughters.

Then he asked if I had my dog’s leash and my car keys; someone, maybe me, removed them from my pocket. I don’t remember what was said. It might have been, “What’s your dog’s name?” “Dickens.” “I’m taking him to your house. Your daughter will meet us there.”

The wail of the ambulance siren distracted me. I didn’t see Dickens being led away. I did sense people and their dogs moving out of the dog park and along the road, guiding the ambulance to the gate.

I did not know any of these people who so quickly snapped into action to provide comfort, call for help, take care of my dog and remind me of the incredible kindness of perfect strangers.

If you were one of those at the Fossil Creek Dog Park on Nov. 14, thank you. I don’t know who you are, but I’ll never forget you.